Charles Town picks and analysis: August 1, 2026

RACE 1: 3-5-4-7

#3 Market Watch drops from allowance to claiming company for his second in the Brown barn; that’s a positive angle for the barn… #5 C’Est La Vie Nick graduated nicely last out… #4 Tiz the Great also won last out but makes his first local start; on the plus side, he has nighttime racing experience, having earned his diploma at Penn National…

RACE 2: 7-4-1-6

#7 Captured in Time ran decently in both one-turn tries and now returns to that… #4 Maybeitwas Memphis makes her career bow for Runco and is a half to a first-out winner… #1 Lil Pegasus is a daughter of Mosler set for her career debut…

RACE 3: 1-3-4-7

#1 King Uni didn’t have any answers when on the chase last out but might be quick enough, if breaking well, to clear these and will be tough to reel in; inclined to forgive latest on a muddy surface, which he doesn’t seem to like… #3 Mr Mahomes finds the level he’ll need to win a second race… #4 Blameitonmyroots drops to the bottom for the first time…

RACE 4: 5-3-4-7

#5 Armucess makes her debut after training at CT for trainer Meyers; sire Army Mule is a major win-early influence, and this one attracts leading rider Bocachica… #3 Lucky Darling didn’t show much on the turf in her first outing but may appreciate getting on dirt; half-brother Kenny Had a Notion made over $375k on the main track… #4 Witty Girl just missed in her debut against maiden claimers…

RACE 5: 7-2-6-8

We’ll take a bit of a swing in this one with #7 Happy Jaunt, who will need his very best to contend here, but the projected race shape, with a bunch of speed horses signed on, plays right into his hands; beat similar in latest with a rallying trip… #2 Thank Ya Pete has been ultra-competitive at this level; needs a good break… #6 Celtic Pride is another with plentiful early speed and just missed in an off-the-turf tilt in latest…

RACE 6: 1-2-5-7

#1 Aspen’s Angel is a homebred for trainer Ronney Brown and is making her debut today; has a half-sibling who won first out, and the work tab is good enough… #2 Contra Costa had excuses in her debut but also was outfinished by others; breeding is more turf than dirt, and anything like the morning line feels too short… #5 Arrayaofgrace has good early speed and ran OK last out but has had several cracks without graduating…

RACE 7: 1-8-6-4

#1 Runaldo has been in good form his last several starts and enters off a win; likely not quick enough to make the lead here but should be able to save some ground before launching a rally… #8 Teachintherelease is clearly the most talented of the group and the likely winner on best, but this’ll be his first start of ’26; with much bigger races on his agenda, we’re inclined to take a swing against in this spot… #6 Jubawithatwist ran big in latest but had to tangle with the talented Faster Gator; best effort puts him right there…

RACE 8: 9-5-6-4

#9 Boundforabruisin makes his first start after the Runco claim, which isn’t something he does much; note that rider Bocachica lands here rather than on the trainer’s other runner… #5 Beau Dutton graduated with ease last out and has two full siblings who were stars (Hidden Canyon, who won nine of her first 11, and Bullets Fever, who went 8-for-8)… #6 Screaminvengeance should be part of the early pace…

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